by Rimmy London
“You may have those documents in your hand,” Manwell strained to be heard over the blades of the helicopter. “But let me assure you they are nullified unless I am the one to bring them forward. You need me.” The glint of satisfaction in his eyes was infuriating. I couldn’t see how Givanni could stand there and listen to him. But he seemed ready for Manwell’s every word, waving his mild warning away quickly.
“Yes, of course we need you—if we want to trust the system that gave me over.” The steely color in his eyes bored into Manwell. “Or we could just abandon you and run with it—see how things turn out. I doubt it could be much worse than relying on you has been.”
Manwell shifted his feet uncomfortably, his gaze moving from one uncaring face to the next. It was Marco who finally spoke. “You know there’s nowhere you could hide Vanni. Sometimes the risk is too great—sometimes you need to step back from your principles.”
“Just like your parents,” Manwell added with a sad shake of his head. But instead of persuading the group, everyone’s glares turned slowly and dangerously to settle on Manwell – and fire burned in each eye. He stepped back.
“Like my parents?” Givanni growled, his voice hovering above lethal. “What do you know about that?”
It all happened at once and blurred in my mind. Shouts came from the beach, and charging up the sand were a dozen men looking like they were headed to battle. In the time it took to look back I caught the smirk on Manwell’s lips, and it hit me. He was waiting for this—the whole time he just wanted to keep us on the ground.
Their shouting alternated from, “Mr. President” to “Don’t move,” as they looked between us. Jordyn and Enrica were already at the helicopter when my eyes finally rested on Givanni. He was unmoving and looked to Manwell with disgust. I pulled on his arm, sure we were already too late. Clenching his fist, Givanni crumpled the first paper in his hand and let the rest fall, sending pages whipping into the air around us.
He caught my hand in the next instant and we ran as more shot were fired. The legs of the helicopter were just leaving the ground as we dove in. Crowding to the back I joined Enrica and Jordyn before we lifted with nauseating power. I felt crushed to the floor. Struggling against gravity, I finally pushed myself into the small bench that served as a back seat. No one spoke, and we huddled together as bullets ricocheted against the metal frame.
The scene below us miniaturized quickly. Finally out of range, Max turned in his seat. “Manwell?” His question was met with a single angry dip of Givanni’s head. We swayed to the side as he turned us abruptly, his mouth a hard line.
The island shrunk quickly until lost from view, and I could see we were already trailing the coastline of Mexico. Max turned back again and his brown hair whipped to the side. “Where can we go?” Max asked. He kept his eyes on Jordyn, gauging his reaction until rephrasing. “What do you have?”
I watched the interplay between Jordyn and Enrica, the way she shifted when their eyes met, and how he ran a hand across his face. After a brief moment, he answered, although still watching Enrica. “Just keep south,” He bellowed. “Half hour’s time.”
The remainder of our flight passed in silence, leaving me to wonder about my father. He was likely getting used to my periods of absence. I made a mental note to contact him as soon as I could—he knew enough about my life to worry. Givanni took up the rest of my thoughts. I replayed his reaction to Manwells words over and over. Could he really have a connection to Givanni’s parent's death? It seemed absurd.
Jordyn caught my attention, clicking his tongue and holding a seatbelt up before buckling himself in. I nodded, reaching for the strap. It seemed only a moment, but we’d been traveling nearly an hour. “The orange helipad,” He yelled. “Along the south shore—you can’t miss it.”
The small peninsula of Baja California was crowded with sprawling resorts, impressive even from 4000 feet. Palm trees swayed, green and full, between perfectly placed pools and colorful umbrella filled patios. Everything from skyscrapers to single level mansions were proud and elegant. I imagined what it would be like to be an ordinary person for a day, only to explore every sand-brushed street and sun-filled bistro. The orange helipad was easy to spot, the color standing out among the more neutral rooftop pads.
Jordyn began an explanation. “I have a place not far from here, and Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular cities for college students in all of Mexico, so the diverse crowds will help.” With a breath, he scanned our group. “But if we are to blend in at all, we need to get cleaned up.”
I glanced down, seeing myself for the first time. The mud, dust, and dried blood covered me almost completely and I noticed the same thing with everyone in our decidedly pathetic circle. Givanni especially stood out, with his shoulder still wrapped in blood-saturated cloth. I shifted my feet. “Givanni, do you need a doctor?” I asked, sure my question was a day late.
He smiled more genuinely than I had seen since his escape. Pulling open a cabinet door he retrieved a large white box with a red cross on the front. “This is all the medical attention I need Loriel.” He answered, the smile simmering on his lips.
Jordyn continued—apparently, the office building we were atop was closed for the weekend. It was hard to believe that some people still lived regular lives—work days, weekends… structure. “Here,” He placed a few bills in each hand and I glanced down at the few hundred dollars he had allotted me. “There are plenty of shops outside, so just find something you like and we can meet at the downstairs café in an hour.”
And that was that.
We’d gone from being shot at and nearly captured, to unconventionally vacationing along the southern shores of Mexico. My mind had a hard time taking it in, and I could feel my hands shake as we reached the sunny street below. Givanni walked next to me, looking a little out of place with the first aid kit still clamped under one arm.
At the first shop we came to, I dipped my head toward circular racks of swimsuits and sundresses. “They probably have a bathroom,” I started. “Why don’t you go in and…” I waved my hand in front of him. “You know, do what you need to. I’ll find you some clothes.”
With an appreciative glance, he disappeared through the bags and novelty items. I breathed in the deep, rich scents of flowers, sunblock, and coffee beans. The quaint shop was perfectly coastal, with fabrics meant to compliment your skin against the warm rays of golden sunshine. I pulled out the first three dresses I came to before turning to the lineup of sandals. I didn’t even want to know what my feet looked like under the soggy boots they had been trapped in for days—it would be heaven to let my toes feel the air. Water sprayed the tile floor at the far end of the room and I practically squealed.
Showers!
Givanni had wasted no time, already stripped down and rubbing his face with sudsy hands. The paneled door didn’t offer much privacy, only covering from his shoulders to a little below his knees—and the lack of steam left me wondering if I should even bother. Cold showers were abominable. Regardless, I moved to the toiletries section and picked the coconut cream shampoo. Soon my arms were loaded with sunblock, lip gloss, and lotion, and I about dropped it all when a shop clerk tapped my shoulder.
“Hola—hello Miss.” He was older, I guessed about my dad’s age, but the way his dark eyes crinkled when he smiled gave him a look of youth.
“Hi,” I started, immediately grateful that he’d given me an option of languages.
“Would you like a basket?” He held out a woven straw basket and I dumped my assortment into it.
The friendliness on his face had me realizing I didn’t know what to say. We weren’t really given a story, and he was bound to keep talking. I swallowed. “Thank you, and I was also wondering, how much do the showers cost?”
He shook his head, glancing to my feet and the basket before shaking his head again. “No, no, they have no cost.” With a sweeping gesture, he pointed me toward the water and returned to his desk. I tried not to examine myself too
closely. No doubt he wanted me to get in that shower as much as I did.
I jumped as Givanni lifted the shampoo from my basket. “Awe, now you tell me,” he laughed. His hair dripped onto the towel around his shoulders.
I tried—I really did. I tried not to notice the way his dampened skin smoldered, and how his light teal shirt still clung to him. But it was no use. “Maybe find out the best places to eat around here?” I asked, a little out of breath. An easy smile stretched across his face. It was entirely too adorable. I reminded myself of the mess we were in, and the caution we should be using. But the thought wouldn’t stay put.
“Sure,” Givanni breezed, turning to pour out a friendly conversation in Spanish.
Of course.
After a lukewarm but rejuvenating scrub, I lifted light blue cotton over my head. The sundress hugged my torso and fell loosely from a princess waistline. Straps crossing behind my neck gave it a very coastal look, and I slid my spotless toes into the soft leather sandals with a smile. It was beyond wonderful to be clean.
“Ready gorgeous?” Givanni said from behind the dressing room curtain, and I grinned like a fool. Barely stopping myself from giggling I ran some pleasant smelling product through my hair, hoping I had interpreted the Spanish label correctly and that it would tame the enthusiastic waves in my hair.
We left our stained clothes in a garbage barrel and stuffed a palm tree patterned bag with as many items as we could. The owner didn’t seem the least bit curious about us, only smiling and directing us to local hangouts. With a colorful map and an assortment of menus, we thanked him; Givanni in perfectly accented Spanish, and me with a rather pathetic attempt.
“These look amazing,” Givanni held up a couple menus as we walked. “But let’s head back to the café first. I’m not sure where Jordyn’s place is.” I nodded, trying to convince my head we weren’t on vacation. But, it was getting more and more difficult by the sun-warmed minute.
* * *
Even in the late afternoon hour, the café was busy. Shouts and conversations filled the air, with dozens of college students clearly enjoying their spring break. The trend seemed to be to wear as much self-identification as possible. A shaggy blonde in USA colors wore only swim shorts, with his shortboard propped next to the table—I didn’t doubt at the first sign of a swell he would be out the door. The others were equally telling, their country or hobby displayed proudly on some piece of clothing.
After shouting to be heard, we were gestured to a back door and trailed a glimmering mocha skinned girl through the chaos. Her dark, ultra-straight hair brushed along her waist as she walked—enviously exotic. She pulled the door open and stepped back, eyeing me with a look that had me double checking myself. Meeting her stare again I waited, seeing she clearly she had something to say.
With a quiet nod at Givanni, she let him pass before stepping closer. “Do you know your companions well, Miss?” Her dark eyes searched my face, and I felt unease settle in my stomach as I looked back. She seemed very aware.
“I do,” I glanced inside the private room to a long table. Givanni, Max, Jordyn, and Enrica had already piled their plates with tempting entrees. One foreign face had me looking back quickly. “All except one man—who is he?” I could see in her face that she knew him, but she kept her eyes lowered.
“Just be careful,” She breathed. She didn’t face me again and left me with her strange and cryptic warning. Careful of what? What did she know? And more especially, did she have any idea who we were?
I entered the room with my eyes on the stranger. He was absorbed in the chore of eating, and his dark hair was brushed casually across his forehead. Though his build was long and lanky, he still managed to be intimidating. It could have been the way he ate—the strength of his hands had me very easily imagining him flicking the fork like a combat weapon.
I caught Givanni’s gaze, and the question in my eyes was shaken off with one jerk of his head. Only Enrica and Jordyn kept a conversation going, chatting like they were on vacation. It only made my tension grow. Scooping up generous amounts of rice, chicken, and sautéed vegetables, I sat and quickly finished every scrap on my plate. The warmth trailed down and settled comfortably in my stomach.
Jordyn cleared his throat, leaning over the table. “We have some information, and I think it would only be safe for us to stay one night at my place.” His voice was low, rumbling in his throat, and after a glance at the dark stranger, he continued. “Luis hears the news from Italy, and if there were plans against us in this country he would know.” He stopped to check Enrica’s reaction.
She nodded, keeping her gaze at the table even as Luis lifted his strong gaze to settle on her. His eyes were filled with hostility, swirling in his features until he dropped the challenge and reached for his glass. “Would you like to continue?” Jordyn asked—the strength in his voice matching the solid warning in his eyes.
Luis looked up, mildly interested. He studied Jordyn’s face before glancing again to Enrica. She continued her fixation with the table, and finally, he nodded. “I will continue,” His voice had an airy sound—breath escaping equally with the words. It only added to his seemingly raw danger. “We have no orders against you… yet,” he began, directing the strange comment to Enrica. She rubbed her arm. “And I have not heard of any attempts at communication on their part, ” She ran a hand through her hair. “Should I hear of anything I would let you know, but that would only give you a few hours’ time, so you need to be moving and you need to be ready.”
After that, Luis only nodded at Givanni in closing and left the room. Givanni stared after him. When he turned back to the group his lips were pressed together and he tapped one finger on his tightly sealed mouth. Nods alternated on either side of me, and after draining my lemonade I nodded as well. No talking—at least about anything important.
“Mmm,” I murmured. “Icy lemonade.” Enrica laughed out loud, probably remembering the last time I’d tried to be casual around her. There were comments of ‘spicy chicken’ and ‘well-seasoned peppers’ before Jordyn stood. We followed behind him, the entire group with their hands shoved in their pockets. Not having thought about a weapon, or perhaps wearing something that could hide one, I swung my hands through the warm air, enjoying the way they caught the skirt and tousled it. For some reason things didn’t feel ominous—I wasn’t afraid. With the way it had ended in Guadalupe Island, I should have been shocked into numbness by now. But all I felt was the warmth of the sun and the pure contentment of being surrounded by friends. If perhaps anxious and overwhelmingly on edge—still friends.
Having trailed down a shaded alleyway towered by two slate buildings, we stopped at the end of it, inches from tropical sunshine.
Waving us in, Jordyn’s face was strained, his eyes wider and one cheek having picked up a twitch at some point. “Here,” He passed out squares of paper smaller than a napkin. “This will lead you there.” I looked down at the pencil-drawn map, already certain I could never follow it. Givanni seemed more confident, glancing at the paper and nodding before shoving it into a pocket. “Luis can be trusted for the information he gave and nothing else. He has other interests besides our welfare, so I suggest we split up again. Don’t try and look like you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. Blend in.”
“Jordyn,” I felt a little unsure of my train of thought but continued anyway. “Is Boswik still coming for us like you’d planned?” I hadn’t meant for the question to sound like an accusation, but from their reactions, it was plain to see that’s how it was taken.
“He would have come to Guadalupe, Loriel,” I hardened at the way Enrica ground my name into her throat, snuffing out the title of friend I had given her moments ago. “There just wasn’t time, I’m sure…” She hesitated through the words and finally let them fade away.
“Look,” Max cut in. “There are connections between governments that we will never know. Clearly we’ve all, Enrica especially, been in the Italian’s sights for a while. And now that Luis
is in the picture…” Max’s words paused long enough for him to check Enrica’s reaction. There was none. “He, perhaps having some feeling of lovers revenge—we just don’t know.” I looked up at Enrica, instantly imagining them together. Two unstable, ferocious forces.
Givanni shook his head, perhaps clearing his own mental picture. “So let’s go with what we do know,” He said. “We know that Luis’s organization works with the IM—practically takes orders from them. Things could get bad fast, so I say we keep moving.”
“Right,” Jordyn was already backing away, with Enrica close beside. “Let’s split up. Meet at nightfall—and stay alert…” There was a quick pause, where he took the time to look at each of us “Don’t trust anyone.”
Chapter 20
Givanni hadn’t mentioned a threat, but we’d gone from a walk, to a rush, to a mad sprint through the most tempting streets yet. Maybe it was all that had built up before we split with the group, or the unreleased adrenaline of the last three weeks altogether. Whatever it was, he’d clearly scrapped Jordyn’s advice to not rush.
When we did finally slow, it was in the middle of crowds of young people. It felt like the heartbeat of the city—a nightclub that was already packed in the late afternoon hour, with only a few open tables. The patio had filled up first, with everyone preferring the open air. Umbrellas staggered together overlapping each other, keeping the sun at bay and merged into the restaurant. We perched atop barstool-style chairs around a small but beautifully tiled table.
Close to gasping, I tried to encourage my lungs to relax. Givanni’s chest was heaving as well, and when our eyes finally met a wide grin cracked through his features. He laughed, shaking his head with half a smile left on his face. I tried not to, but laughter eventually escaped from me in a jumble. It was liberating, and we built on each other until I thought my sides would split.